The Achievement Junkie

"Don't look at me like that! The food's on the table!" shouted Jack.

"Sorry, it's not like that Jack… How could we not get excited about having extra mana?" reasoned Moranti, blinking and chuckling.

"But the only way we could make that happen would be to have you all lose your godly status and ascend again," replied Jack. "We can't do that with so many things going on right now."

"What about afterward?" asked Lunara. "I don't see why we can't go through that process after this is all over."

"But would you--"

"Yes!" Eedaj shouted, "We would all be willing to go through that if our mana supply can become multiple times greater. Compared to your proposal of traveling beyond Kartonia, ascending a second time is nothing."

"Well… you're not wrong about that I guess," sighed Jack.

"It's a good idea," added Duorda. "I'd take them up on the offer, Jack. It will take some more time to get everyone ready for departure from Kartonia, but it's worth it."

"Then… I'll talk with Daruun about it later. I'm sure he'll have a way to remove their status as gods, given that he did it to you."

"He sure will."

"For now," Jack continued, looking back to the line. "All those that stop looking at me like I'm a fine delicacy will get their pacts redone."

"Then I refuse," stated Eliza, getting most everyone to break out in laughter. Dragas was especially giddy and winked at her daughter.

"That… Alright."

Letting that slide, Jack went through the line and altered everyone's pacts. Now, they could all level up without having their EXP sapped by Jack for no reason. Having finished that, Jack reminded Dragas of the bathes and left to visit his two remaining best companions.

They didn't waste time, letting Jack bless them and make them demigods. However, both of them, being beasts, were extremely sensitive to their physical abilities and prowess. The moment Jack finished their blessings, each of them was overwhelmed with excitement. Phoro's ungodly speed had grown beyond ludicrous as he darted around the giant, underground courtyard, which he now shared with the centipede. Dragov could feel his already monstrous body grow more agile and powerful. Both of them were astounded by the amount of mana they could now use as they never had Jack's pact as his companions. But now, they would never forget how much Jack had given them in terms of level, care, and now additional strength.

Finished with them, Jack went home to find two wives sleeping and Eliza waiting to join Jack for the medicinal bath.

Together, Jack and Eliza casually walked toward Dragas's courtyard. The door was unlocked yet they failed to find her anywhere. After a quick call, Dragas appeared with Moranti in tow, teleporting into the courtyard.

As Jack expected, his bath was made stronger than ever and he was forced to endure more internal boiling pain. Now, his bath lasted the full twenty minutes like Moranti's.

When both were exiting the bath, however, Jack dried off and approached Dragas.

"What is it? You've already lost your chance, Jack, so don't even--"

"What do you know about poisons?" Jack asked, catching Dragas and the other listening ears off guard.

"Poison?" Dragas hesitated to answer, dropping her usual confidence for a moment. "What has you interested in poison?"

"Well, I was the hero that created the walking death toxin, so…"

"That was you?!" Fuming, Dragas turned and slapped Jack across the face. "Do you realize what you caused?!"

"It was… I know now. At the time, things were very different. I didn't exactly see the world the same, like all ancient heroes," answered Jack, not avoiding blame. "But I'm also the one who created the antidote, so that has to count for something, right?"

"I guess… But why are you interested in poisons now?"

Jack then took a knee as he laid a few items across the ground. "Since I've already got these, why shouldn't I be interested in poisons?"

Eliza watched in curiosity and Moranti was startled to see such things gathered by Jack. Dragas was speechless for a moment as she took in what her eyes depicted. "Death Rattler blood and poison… Skulker Tarantula venom… and even Living Nightshade… Where did you--"

"The Death Rattlers were from Daliea long ago. I was going to use them to cure someone of walking death toxin but I had the association do that instead," stated Jack. "And since I was going through Earthen Keep, I made sure to collect some samples while I was down there. The Skulker Tarantula lords over the twentieth floor and the Living Nightshade lives on the sixtieth floor. What do you think?"

"This…" Dragas placed one hand over her mouth, struggling to put her thoughts together properly.

"My goal is to make a poison that works on gods and cosmicians. Daruun said you would be able to make that happen much sooner."

"Why me… and not him…" Dragas mumbled, leaving Jack puzzled. "I… can help you. Since Daruun asked for it, then I'll help. But I hate poisons! I'll only help because I want some Living Nightshade petals to grow one here and alter them to become harmless!"

"Okay, okay," replied Jack, putting his hands up and stepping back. "Then can we start tomorrow morning after the next bath?"

"... Fine… Hurry up and leave so I can prepare a few things…"

"Okay… We'll see you tomorrow, Mother," added Eliza, dragging Jack out of the courtyard. She didn't know what was going on but she knew that Dragas was hurt by the very thought of making poison. Taking Jack away sooner would give Dragas some time to breathe and vent a little.

When the couple left the courtyard, Moranti calmly walked to Dragas and threw his arms over her. "What's wrong? I thought you were great at making poison? Your pheromones are a testament to that."

"I know…"

"Is it because of him?"

"... Yeah…"

Moranti asked, "Do you really hate poisons? Wouldn't that mean you learned to make poison to impress him?"

"..."

"I get that that it brings back bad memories, but couldn't fulfilling his dream help you get over the past?" questioned Moranti.

"... Maybe… It might help…"

"Then count me in too," Moranti added with a smile and a kiss on the cheek from behind. "I don't know much but I can travel anywhere to gather ingredients you're missing. I think he'd be happy to know you made his dream come true."

"Yeah… he'd like that…" sighing, Dragas blinked and let a few tears streak down her face. She turned her head to kiss Moranti's lips. "Thank you…"